Why do americans need a passport to go into Canada & who's gov't made the law?

Question

Was it the US or Canadian gov't that made the law requiring citizens from the US to have passports to visit Canada?

Answer 1

Homeland security negotiated it with Canada

Answer 2

Why do americans need a passport to go into Canada?

Americans do not need a passport to go to Canada. The way the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" (WHTI) is worded is "entry and re-entry" to the USA. That means yeah, you can get into Canada...but by air (since January 23, 2007) you won't be able to go home. (land and water crossing to happen as soon as January 2008, as late as June 2009)

who's gov't made the law?
The WHTI is an American based law. It was done to protect the citizens of the USA from terrorists from coming onto American land from foreign countries. At one point there was a lot of finger pointing after 9/11 with people saying (incorrectly) that one or more of the 9/11 terrorists had entered the USA from Canada. The idea was that a country had to take control of what was coming into it's own country and that way they had more control over their "destiny".

There are some things in the works right now though. Keep an eye on the news...seems like things may be changing.

Past answers regarding this question have always said that when they came to Canada our Border officers asked if they had a passport. While they do "ask" that, it is because a passport is easier for them to establish who you are and if you are safe to come into Canada. (easier to check in the passport system than by drivers license and then birth certificate) You can still use the same old ID to come to Canada as before. Think of it this way; at stores they can ASK if you are using their store credit card or if you are paying by Visa....but you can still pay by other options even though they "ask" for that one kind initially. :)

Answer 3

It was the United States Government that enacted the passport law. Right now, if you drive across the boarder between Canada and the USA, all you need is a picture ID such as a drivers license. Regulatiosn were that as of January 1, 2008, you would need a passport to drive,fly between the USA, Canada and Mexico. Right now, that has been put on hold until October 2008 due to a backlog of applicants waiting for passports.

Answer 4

The US made the law. You need have either a passport or proof of application through 9/30/07 for entry into the US from Canada or Mexico via air travel. As of January 2008, you will need a passport for air, water, or ground crossing.


Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification
and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at U.S. Department of State web site.

This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.

As early as January 2008, the departments will begin to implement WHTI at land and sea ports of entry. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a phased implementation is expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks.

Answer 5

It is Bush and the US that is making the changes.

Canada is agreeing and changing policy to conform. But Canada doesn't like it because it has a huge effect on Tourism. And given high gas prices, a strong Canadian dollar we don't need to add passport fees and wait times, and misconceptions about what the travel requirements are. (You don't need a passport until next year if driving.)

Answer 6

It's not that you need a passport to go into Canada, it's that you need a passport to re-enter the US when you return home. The decision was made by the US gov't.

Answer 7

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Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007



The Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today that the requirement for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere will begin on January 23, 2007.

This change in travel document requirements is the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. These new travel document requirements make up the Departments' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). In order to obtain national security benefits as quickly as possible, and to expedite the processing of arriving passengers, the plan will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase involves travel by air and requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States from within the Western Hemisphere. The final rule for the air phase of the WHTI rule will be published in the Federal Register on November 24, where it can be viewed at www.regulations.gov . That rule is also available on the Department's consular web site, travel.state.gov and on the Department of Homeland Security's web site, www.dhs.gov.

A separate proposed rule addressing land and sea travel will be published at a later date proposing specific requirements for travelers entering the United States through land and sea border crossings. As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea could be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible.

The Department has dedicated additional resources and personnel to meet the increased demand for passports generated by these requirements. In Fiscal Year 2006, the Department issued a record 12.1 million passports to American citizens, and anticipates issuing 16 million passports in Fiscal Year 2007. U.S. citizens can find information about how to apply for a passport at travel.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778.

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2006/1066

Answer 8

The US government, as a part of their anti-terrorism legislation. Until Jan. 2008, you can enter Canada with a photo ID and proof of citizenship. However, you cannot re-enter the US without a passport. Nothing has changed on the Canadian side.

Answer 9

They just redid that law as a matter of fact...
Not entirely thought.. it's only if you are going to Mexico or Canada on a cruise that you no longer are required to have a passport. You just need proper identification meaning like a drivers license.

Answer 10

the American gov make this law, Canada gov don t ask you
the passport the same whit Mexico, Mexico gov dint ask
the passport to us citizens , but if you return the us make to you necessary to bring your passport in a for USA security?
i really don't understand ? but is the American gov that make this
necessary